Beirut Arab University Language Centre
INTE 103FinalExam Beirut Name: ______________________
Spring2017 - 2018 ID #_______________________
Time: 120min. Score: _____/60
________________________________________________________________________________________
Part One: Reading Comprehension
Read the text carefully and answer the questions that follow.
A A recruiter will typically take just five to seven seconds to read your CV and decide whether you are a
worthy candidate. This means your CV needs to shout “hire me” from start to finish, because busy recruiters
don’t have time to search out your hidden potential. Unfortunately, people write such strange things on their
CVs that it’s tempting to believe that they don’t want the job at all. What, for example was going through the
mind of the applicant who wrote that his previous contract had been terminated because “they insisted that we
get to work by 8.45every morning and I couldn’t put up with those conditions”? Or the candidate who described
himself as “married, eight children, would prefer frequent travel”. And let’s not forget the typos- people who
are proud of their “rapid typing” or who announce that they were responsible for “ruining their company’s sales
department”.
B But the most revealing part of a CV is often the “personal interests” section. Job seekers need to make their
application stand out, so there is little point in saying that you’re into pop music, that you like going to the
cinema, or that you’ve been a supporter for a local football team for ten years. And if you’re thinking of putting
down something more original, think carefully. The fact that you have a passion for rock climbing and have
been training for the world championships may not be of significant importance in your life, but prospective
employers are more likely to think “Uh-oh, dangers, injuries, absences…”. Most bosses would rather their
employees didn’t risk their lives every weekend.
C Employers will want to hear exactness and if something doesn’t add up on your CV you might not be
invited to an interview, warns Locke. A recent survey has shown that one in four CVs contain a lie of some
kind, but resist the temptation to invent an interesting background of yourself. If, at an interview, you are asked
questions about your voluntary work with those with special needs, you could find yourself in deep water if
you made it all up. Even the truth, however well-meaning, can be dangerous. One job applicant who was
obviously trying to make a good impression wrote that he had taken up blood-donating (fourteen gallons so
far!). Weird.
D The simple rule to remember is that you are applying for a job, so only include data that are important to
the application. Find out exactly what the potential employers are looking for and make sure you only include
information that will be relevant to them, advises Fennell. Do your research carefully and identify what personal
qualities are being looked for. Only decide what to write when you have found out what the job involves. And if
you can think of nothing relevant to say, just say nothing at all! Don’t let yourself down with careless spelling
mistakes and grammatical errors that can easily be avoided. Read your CV through at least twice and ask
someone else to double check.
I. Match the following headings with the correct paragraph. Write the letter of the paragraph on the line.
(2pts.)
1. ____________ Recommendations 3. ___________Being sincere
2. ____________Common mistakes 4. ___________ Leisure activities
II. Circle the letter next to the correct answer. (5pts.)
1. The author’s main purpose is to ________________.
a. criticize the applicants’ CVs b. offer guidelines
c. list the different types of CVs d. highlight the mistakes committed in CVs
Page 1 of 7
2. Based on the passage a CV needs to be catch the recruiters’ eye because _______________ .
a. they likely have hundreds of CVs to check b. they don’t have much time
c. most CVs are boring d. a and b
3. When listing hobbies, applicants should not include ________________.
a. musical preferences b. extreme risky activities
c. favorite sports teams d. all the above
4. Applicants tend to design remarkable qualifications by _____________.
a. fabricating facts b. exaggerating events
c. telling the truth d. a and b
5. You can have an appealing CV through _____________ .
a. a full study of the job requirements b. a careful grammar and spelling check
c. a second reading d. all of the above
III. Answer the following questions in your own words using complete sentences. (6pts.)
1. How do some applicants lose their opportunities to get a job or even a job interview?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Based on the passage, what are the general guidelines of an effective CV?
___________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. If you are writing a CV, what would you chose to mention and what would you avoid including? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
IV. Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the text.
revealing voluntary terminated stand out
1. I n Great Britain the period of study is ________________, and usually occupies only one year.
2. He pushed his sleeve up farther, ______________ the bottom of a thick bicep with a partially visible tattoo.
3. Architects do their best to design buildings that ________________ and impress clients.
4. The relations with the previous suppliers were __________________ for dishonesty.
II. Fill in the blanks with one word from Box A and another from Box B. (3pts.)
Box A Box B
talented - lead - look - air - donates - get to (x2) - charity - at - pollution - up
1. At the end of every month, Lisa ____________ money to a ____________ called SESOBEL.
2. I have always wanted to learn how to dance and I will finally ____________ __________ do it.
Page 2 of 7
3. I am not that ____________ ____________ sketching, but once you give me a PSD, I'll go into an
application and code it by the book
4. The new terminology of chemistry 102 is so unfamiliar. I have to __________ it _______.
5. meals loaded with sugar and fat can more easily ___________ ___________ obesity than some other foods.
6. Gas emission from cars and factories are a major cause of __________ ___________.
III. Replace the underlined words/phrases with their synonyms. Write them on the lines provided. (3pts.)
1. Isn’t it astonishing how my lottery win triggered so many new friendships? __________
2. Just chill out! Panicking about being late won't make me drive any faster. ______________
3. I have to get down to my typing; I must submit the report to my advisor tonight. ______________
4. After dropping the beads on the carpet, Sam was asked to clear them up. ________________
5. The manager had to take charge after the project failed to meet its initial deadline _____________
6. We used to fall out about really silly things like whose turn it was to walk the dog. _____________
IV. Cross out ONE word/phrase that is INCORRECT. (3pts.)
1. Sarah was grateful to accept a job with a higher income/saving/salary and two weeks of paid vacation.
2. A bank may choose to finance/debit/budget your project with a loan, but you’ll have to pay them back.
3. Languages are dying out/being lost/deteriorating because there aren’t fluent speakers anymore.
4. He is such a(n) ambitious/optimistic/cautious person who always obtains optimal results at work.
5. It’s well known that smoking can cause/affect/result in serious incurable diseases.
6. A cheat/thief/robber crept up to the house and stole several items while the owners slept
V. Use an arrow (↓) to locate the word between parentheses in their correct position in each sentence.(3pts.)
1. In order to be successful, you need to believe your abilities and never give up on your dreams. (in)
2. As far I know, he is usually on time and always takes his appointments seriously. (as)
3. The first impression was awful, but he turned out to be a great person. (such)
4. Being can have serious and permanently effects on your health and even your performance. (so)
5. There’s no reason for you to look on him just because he lives in a poor neighborhood. (down)
6. The child ought to be punished. You shouldn’t let him get with telling lies! (away)
VI. Match the following parts of the sentences.(3pts.)
1. To decrease air pollution people must __ a. but she definitely has her nice side.
2. Don’t speak so fast! I can’t keep __ b. leave their cars at home and use public transport.
3. The manager is looking for a reliable supervisor __ c. to lead a team of researchers for few months.
4. Suzan seems a bit cold sometimes, __ d. face the music while in the meeting.
5. My boss hated my presentation so I have to __ e. up with you! I need to type the instructions?
6. Fortunately, the students came up __ f. with a superb idea to promote tourism in Lebanon.
Part Three: Grammar
Page 3 of 7
I. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses.
1. Every spring, Anna __________________ (move) to her mountain cottage.
2. Courageous reporters _________________ (always, choose) working in war areas.
3. Soon, she ____________________ (sit) out on the balcony over an early morning cup of coffee.
4. House prices _______________________ (rise) sharply recently.
5. When she ____________________ (come) back in spring, the weather _______________ (be) rather like a
British summer, warm and bright.
6. While she ___________________ (prepare) for the test, she _________________ (face) many problems.
7. Since the disappearance of Jack, the police ___________________( inspect) every detail about his friends.
8. Mark __________________ (plan) very well before he _________________ (start) his new business last year.
9. I would have opened the door if I (recognize) __________________________ you.
10. If I ____________________ (finish) my test before time, I will go to the restaurant.
11. I ______________________ (not/believe) in this rubbish. I am sure you are kidding!
12. The report ____________________ (write) by the accountant at the end of the year.
II. Circle the letter next to the answer that best completes the following sentences.
1. I'm looking forward to _____________ from you
a. heard b. hear c. hears d. hearing
2. We need to have an appointment to _______________ the CEO.
a. met b. meet c. meets d. meeting
3. May you please stop _____________ us.
a. bothered b. bother c. bothering d. bothers
4. The test contained _____________ mistakes.
a. too many b. too much c. too d. very
5. He is _________________ rich that he can buy an airplane.
a. such b. so c. enough d. many
6. I am not strong _______________ to move that rock.
a. many b. enough c. so d. too
7. If I had time, I _________________ finish the test.
a. finished b. will finish c. finished d. would finish
8. If she ______________ medicine, she would have recovered.
a. takes b. took c. had taken d. will take
9. If I _____________ you, I wouldn't skip the last session.
a. am b. was c. were d. will be
10. I _____________ play basketball when I was a college student.
a. use to b. used to c. are used to d. are using to
III. Circle the correct answer.
1. I will wear a heavy jacket (after / in case / instead of) it gets cold tonight.
2. Why don’t you try to speaking/speaking/ to speak to him in Spanish? He obviously can’t/ may not/
doesn’t understand you.
3. Since Ted has a charismatic personality, he will more likely/ is unlikely/ will definitely have a bright future.
4. You must have been/ were supposed to/ were allowed be here an hour ago; I hope you have a good excuse.
You have a strong case, but I am not sure if you will convince the judge. You can/may win or lose.
Page 4 of 7
5. Let’s leave for the airport now. Jane’s plane could/ must /have to arrive early.
6. If Lucy close/closed / had closed the window, the bird hadn’t fly/didn't fly / wouldn't have flown in.
Part Four: Writing
I. Add a phrase from the box to fill in the blanks in 1-6. Then, match the sentence parts 1-6 to a-f.
settle(s) down turn(s) down calm down get(s) down to
look(s) down on get(s) you down
1. After she had a baby, she decided to ________ a. even if the borrower pays off old debt.
2. Banks sometimes ____________ loan applications b. if we hope to finish this today.
3. People who _____________ other people c. no matter how frustrating it is.
4. _____________ George, d. and quit her job as an air hostess.
5. We need to _____________ business e. your attitude got us here in the first place.
6. Do not let a bad situation _____________ f. do not end up being looked up to.
II. Circle the letter next to the item that best CORRECTS the underlined.
1. Children’s toy guns now look so adventurous that they can often pass for the real thing.
a. critical b. realistic c. unrealistic
2. The members of the band are all awful musicians. They play extremely well.
a. outstanding b. acceptable c. terrible
3. He usually finds it impossible to deal with numbers, but obviously he succeeded to solve his Math
homework alone.
a. strangely b. inevitably c. not surprisingly
4. Our stay was splendid because the hotel had a disappointing view out to the awesome Niagara Falls.
a. uninspiring b. dull c. fabulous
5. I will definitely finish my report tonight. I still have a lot to do.
a. am more likely to b. am unlikely to c. will probably
III. Detect the error in each sentence and correct it on the line provided.
1. It’s hard to believe he’d be a lifelong friend to a man capable of murderer. __________
A B C D
2. His boss asked him to take charge in the office for a few days while she was away. _________
A B C D
3. She is always scared to speak out at work. How can we help her overcome this fear? __________
A B C D
4. We are in competitor with four other companies for the contract. Hopefully we will get it signed!
_________
A B C D
5. The young lady claims she was kidnapper by three armed, masked men. __________
A B C D
6. Tom has confidence in Mary’s ability for win the race. I hope she will live up to his expectations. __________
A B C D
7. Most of the polar bears will die off by 2050 as a result of global warming. __________
A B C D
8. By listening to Spanish as often as possible, you will start picking out the rhythms of the language
A B C
internalizing grammar and vocabulary. __________
Page 5 of 7
IV. You recently visited a local sports centre and were dissatisfied with the service provided. Therefore, you
decided to write to the manager to complain about the service you received and suggest improvements. Read
the advertisement and the notes you made and, using the information, write your email. You may need to add
other relevant points of your own. (10pts.)
Newtown Sports Centre
Now in its third year, your sports centre offers
A fully –equipped gym treadmill machine is broken
Professional staff personal trainer texting while training clients
A swimming pool
Full-size tennis courts
Lessons in many sports only gymnastics lessons
So, get your trainers on and come on down.
Practise your backstroke! Lose a few pounds!
Newtown Sports Centre is the place to be!
Page 6 of 7
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 7 of 7